TheHunterReport DFS Week 6 2016

By Dave Hunter

It was another mediocre performance for me in the DraftKings NFL $4.44M Fantasy Football Millionaire [1M to 1st] contest in Week 5. The player suggestions are there as evident in my weekly write-ups; I just keep grouping the wrong players together. For instance, no Ezekiel Elliott in my lineup, even though I suggested the superstar Dallas running back as a Top Level option in Week 5.

I keep flirting with a big payout, so I know its coming. I must get better production out of my RB slots moving forward. I went the value route again, securing Jerick McKinnon and DeAndre Washington for a total of 15.8 points between the two. That just isn’t going to get it done.

Here’s last week’s non-cashing full submission lineup for your viewing pleasure, where I finished 137,674 out of 256,904, totaling 136.9 points:

Position

Player; Team

% Draft

Fantasy Points

QB

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT

16.3

33.2

RB

Jerick McKinnon, MIN

22.16

5.6

RB

DeAndre Washington, OAK

21.5

10.2

WR

Odell Beckham, Jr., NYG

23.1

16.6

WR

Antonio Brown, PIT

30.2

22.8

WR

Jordan Matthews, PHI

11.2

10.5

TE

Hunter Henry, SD

4.1

16.4

FLEX

Robert Woods, BUF

7.1

4.6

DST

Bills

8.4

17

Total

136.9

There isn’t much about the above lineup I’m proud of, except maybe my Hunter Henry pick at TE. Sure, I’m happy Beckham finally had a decent day and Antonio Brown and Big Ben did what they were supposed to do, but the rest of my lineup? Yuck. Moving onto Week 6, I expect a better turnout.

QUARTERBACK

Top LevelTom Brady, NE vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($7,700) – Ho-hum, I guess I’ll continue to ride the Tom Brady-gravy train. The Bengals aren’t anything special defensively this season and Brady is just warming up. Don’t be surprised to see a 3 TD performance out of Brady yet again, although I’m betting they all won’t go to Martellus Bennett.
Other choices:Drew Brees, NO vs. Carolina Panthers ($7,900); Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. Dallas Cowboys ($7,300)
Mid-RangeRussell Wilson, SEA vs. Atlanta Falcons ($6,900) – Wilson is a borderline Mid-Range to Top-Level play, with his salary just falling under $7K. At $800 less than Tom Brady, there’s some decent value here in Wilson facing the Falcons pass defense if you don’t want to spend up too much. I’m expecting a high scoring affair with Wilson setting the table wonderfully for his receivers.
Other choices:Blake Bortles, JAC @ Chicago Bears ($6,300); Marcus Mariota, TEN vs. Cleveland Browns ($6,100)
ValueAlex Smith, KC @ Kansas City Chiefs ($5,700) – Suggesting Smith is all about the matchup as he faces the Raiders and their awful pass defense. If there’s any indication how Smith will perform, just look at how many points the Raiders allow to QB on a weekly basis (20-plus points a game). I don’t have a ton of confidence in Smith from week-to-week, but I will likely build one of my lineups around the idea that I don’t have to spend a ton at QB this week.
Other choices:Dak Prescott, DAL @ Green Bay Packers ($5,900)
Over-ValueDerek Anderson, CAR @ New Orleans Saints ($6,400) – Anderson is tempting due to the Saints matchup; however, the price tag isn’t worth paying for. I mean, don’t you find it difficult to fork over that kind of dough for a guy like Anderson? I guess he’s the definition of ultimate risk for your QB slot, but you can count me out.

RUNNING BACK

Top LevelLe'Veon Bell , PIT @ Miami Dolphins ($7,900) – Since returning from suspension, Bell has averaged 25.1 FPPG on DraftKings over his first two contests. It was masterful watching Bell work as a runner and receiver out of the backfield on Sunday facing the Jets, zigzagging throughout the field gaining excellent yardage. I don’t see the Steelers backing off the Bell-usage strategy and the Dolphins defense isn’t stout enough to stop him.
Other choices:DeMarco Murray, TEN vs. Cleveland Browns ($7,700); LeSean McCoy, BUF vs. San Francisco 49ers ($6,900)
Mid-RangeLamar Miller, HOU vs. Indianapolis Colts ($6,600) – I didn’t like Miller last week facing the Vikings, but this week? Miller will get back on track facing the Colts, whose 29th ranked rush defense leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve got Miller pegged for 100 yards and at least 1 TD, and we’ll see some decent action as well as a pass receiver.
Other choices:Jordan Howard, CHI vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($6,200)
ValueJamaal Charles, KC @ Oakland Raiders ($5,100) – I don’t have to tell you the associated risk in rostering Charles, so be careful with your expectations. Charles is worth taking a chance on in tournament lineups, although I’d pass on him in cash formats. I want a bit more reliability and safety in cash lineups.
Other choices:Ryan Mathews, PHI @ Washington Redskins ($4,900)
Over-ValueSpencer Ware, KC @ Oakland Raiders ($5,400) – If you think Jamaal Charles will be limited again, then Ware isn’t a bad play at all. It’s the risk you take, like you do with Charles, trying to figure out how snaps will be divvied out. The Kansas City backfield certainly poses questions for we DFS’ers. I prefer to pass on the $5.4K price tag, though.

WIDE RECEIVER

Top LevelOdell Beckham, Jr., NYG vs. Baltimore Ravens ($8,800) – Look for Beckham to have another solid game following up last week’s production against the Packers. He’ll earn his price tag this week, so don’t read too much into the news coming out about how unhappy Beckham is. Eli Manning knows he’s his No. 1 option. Look for good things to happen in Week 6 for Beckham.
Other choices:Julio Jones, ATL @ Seattle Seahawks ($8,900); A.J. Green, CIN @ New England ($8,600)
Mid-RangeAmari Cooper, OAK vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($7,500) – This is a borderline price for Cooper, although I’m fine paying it with the Raiders offense on a roll and with Cooper’s endless talents. Cooper may also be a bit under owned compared to the rest of the field of upper-echelon receivers.
Other choices:Michael Crabtree, OAK vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($6,900); Jarvis Landry, MIA vs. Pittsburgh Steelers ($6,800)
ValueDeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. Indianapolis Colts ($7,500) – Normally, I’m looking at lower-priced players for the value slot, but, man, I just can’t get over the discount Hopkins is receiving right now. Maybe I’m a bit too gaga for Hopkins at this price. I don’t know, you tell me, but I LOVE Hopkins this week facing the Colts in Houston.
Other choices:Sammie Coates